PizzaExpress launches delivery service

PizzaExpress is marking its 50th birthday with the launch of a delivery business – PizzaExpress Delivered - in the capital.

Though the service is initially only available in select central London postcodes, the group plans to open 150 delivery sites nationwide over the next five years - creating 2,500 new jobs.

The company has hired a fleet of trained waiters to deliver pizzas on Italian-style, battery-powered scooters designed for both low emissions and noise.

Customers will be able to trace their delivery in real time using GPS tracking, and receive a text when the driver is less than two minutes away.

The technology will also allow the company to monitor the location, journey time and capacity of its bikes.

Richard Hodgson, PizzaExpress CEO, said, “This is an enormous growth opportunity and by extending what we’re already famous for – delicious pizza, great service and excellent value – we can bring about a step change in delivery.

“The pizza delivery market is dominated by American-style, thick-crust pizzas. Thanks to advances in technology we don’t have to compromise on the quality of our thinner-crust pizzas when in transit, [and] we can now proudly bring to customers’ homes the pizza they love.”

Customers will be able to order almost everything off the PizzaExpress menu bar a few dishes which were found unsuitable for delivery when trialled.

The groups’ London Thayer Street and St Bride Street branches became the first to offer the service this week, delivering in central London between 11.30am – 11.30pm.

PizzaExpress said the concept would be rolled out to a number of other existing restaurants, and that the first dedicated PizzaExpress Delivered sites would be arriving soon.